Inside The Bills

The loss of Alex Carrington was a blow to Buffalo’s defensive front Monday, but the coaching staff believes one of their younger defensive linemen can help fill the void.

Head coach Doug Marrone believes the player who will see his snap count balloon the most in the wake of Carrington’s injury is first-year player Corbin Bryant.

“I think Corbin Bryant’s role will definitely increase,” said Marrone. “I’ve been very, very happy with the past two games with the way he’s performed. I think his reps will increase. Alan obviously played a lot so he has to be ready to do that. I think you’ll see those roles increased and those guys moving around.”

Bryant, a former undrafted rookie signing of the Chicago Bears in 2011, spent the fall of that year on Pittsburgh’s practice squad, then joined Buffalo’s practice squad late in the 2012.

At 6’4” and 300 pounds, Bryant most resembles Carrington’s physical skill set in terms of athleticism for a big man. He was already working in on Buffalo’s defensive line as a rotational player in Week 2. Against Carolina he played 17 snaps and this past Sunday long before Carrington was hurt, he got 20 snaps of work.